Journey Through Mexico

This is the ultimate luxury journey through Mexico, including private touring in the most interesting cities and countryside, visits to ancient Mayan and Zapotec ruins, stops at local craft villages and markets, and a few days on the pristine beaches of the Riviera Maya.

Begin in enchanting San Miguel de Allende, best known for its cobblestone backstreets lined with colorful colonial architecture, historic churches, galleries and crafts shops. See the town's highlights during private touring. Visit churches such as the neo-Gothic La Parroquia, churrigaresque Templo de San Francisco and baroque Oratorio de San Felipe Neri; stroll through the popular main square, known as El Jardin; and see historic mansions like the Inquistor's House and Casa de Allende. Visit El Charco del Ingenio, a beautiful botanical garden; Fabrica la Aurora, a former factory that's now filled with shops, galleries and artists' studios; and the Santuario de Atotonilco, with its UNESCO-protected murals. If your timing is right, also visit the weekly El Tianguis food market. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange activities such as private cooking lessons, spa appointments, excursions to nearby towns like Guanajuato and Dolores Hidalgo, or visits to local vineyards.

Next, tour the impressive pyramids at nearby Teotihuacan en route to exciting Mexico City, the sophisticated and vibrant capital of Mexico. Your expert guide and private driver will show you the very best of the city. See the highlights of the Zocalo (the city's main square) including the cathedral, the Templo Mayor, and Diego Rivera's murals in the National Palace. Visit renowned museums including the Museum of Anthropology, Museo Frida Kahlo, the Popular Art Museum, and Museo Dolores Olmedo. Browse boutiques, art galleries and architectural highlights in favorite neighborhoods such as Polanco, Roma, San Angel, and Coyoacan. In Xochimilco, enjoy a private canal cruise through the floating gardens. One evening, attend a performance of the Ballet Folklorico. Throughout your touring, see colorful murals, beautiful colonial and contemporary architecture, and colorful markets. If desired, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as food-focused touring, visits to gardens and private homes, or touring with an art and design expert.

Continue to Puebla, a historic city with a rich history and culinary heritage. During private touring, explore the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of colonial-era architecture. Visit the bustling zocalo (main square) and beautiful Palafox Library, and see ornate churches decorated with gold and colorful tiles. Browse for locally produced Talavera ceramics, and perhaps also explore the local food markets and sweets shops. Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as a street food tasting, an excursion to nearby Cholula, or a cooking lesson focusing on local specialties like mole poblano and chiles en nogada.

Spend the next three nights in Oaxaca, one of Mexico's best destinations for food and traditional arts. During private touring, explore the colonial center of Oaxaca—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—including the zocalo, cathedral, food markets and folk art shops. See ornate churches like Santo Domingo, browse contemporary art galleries, visit the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca or perhaps explore the Ethnobotanical Garden. One day, visit Monte Alban, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site with stone temples and great views over the region. Also visit other nearby sites such as the archaeological ruins of Mitla, indigenous markets or craft villages specializing in woven textiles, pottery, and wooden carvings. Another day, enjoy a private cooking lesson to learn to prepare local dishes, such as one of the several mole dishes Oaxaca is famous for. Enjoy a colorful Guelaguetza performance of traditional song and dance one evening. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as chocolate tastings, or excursions to additional nearby craft villages.

Fly to Merida, an attractive tropical city filled with colorful Spanish-colonial architecture. With your private guide and driver, tour sites related to Merida's long history, such as the 16th-century cathedral, which incorporates stones of a Mayan pyramid, and historic mansions that recall the city's prosperous past. Stroll through the bustling Plaza Grande, browse local markets for spices and folk art and perhaps visit the Regional Museum of Anthropology, housed in a beautiful palace. One day, tour the extraordinary Mayan ruins of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional touring and activities, such as an excursion to the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve or a cooking class at a renowned local cooking school.

End your tour in the Riviera Maya, a resort area among the mangroves and beaches on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, for several days at an exclusive luxury beach resort. During private touring, enjoy options such as exploring the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, which sit atop cliffs overlooking the sea; an excursion to the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve; swimming in a cenote (sinkhole); exploring a spectacular cave system; and shopping at local boutiques. Another day, take a fun snorkeling excursion to see the region's abundant marine life. During leisure time, relax at your luxurious beach resort. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as cooking lessons, private yacht charters, visits to Mayan ruins at Coba or Ek Balam, or scuba diving on the nearby Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1

Arrive Leon – San Miguel de Allende
Private arrival transfer to San Miguel de Allende for 3 nights

Day 2

San Miguel de Allende
Half-day private walking tour

Day 3

San Miguel de Allende
Half-day private tour

Day 4

San Miguel de Allende – Teotihuacan­ – Mexico City
Private transfer to Mexico City for 3 nights, with touring en route